WWE Royal Rumble 2016 Matches, Predictions, Schedule, How to Watch: Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Surprise Entrants in Orlando
While more than 80 million Americans encounter a snowstorm, the WWE is in warm Florida for the annual "Royal Rumble" pay-per-view event.
WWE United States Championship: Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Kalisto:
It's the rematch of several rematches between the WWE's two top Latino superstars. Alberto Del Rio initially had the United States Championship until he suddenly lost to Kalisto during an episode of "Monday Night Raw" a few weeks ago. Del Rio, however, won the title again in the same week during a "SmackDown" broadcast. Kalisto will have an opportunity to become a two-time United States Champion but only if he's able to withstand Del Rio's fellow League of Nations members.
Prediction: It's unknown how much longer Kalisto's Lucha Dragon partner Sin Cara will remain sidelined due to injury, but the WWE seems intent to give the former NXT Tag Team Champion a good solo run. The prediction is for Kalisto, with the goal to give the Orlando crowd something happy to remember.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Last Man Standing Match: Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Kevin Owens:
The feud between Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens continues with a stipulation the champion demanded: a Last Man Standing Match, which crowns its winner once the opponent is unable to stand through a 10-second count.
Prediction: With the stipulation, the match could go either way since both men won't be pinned or have to submit. Ambrose, however, is still fresh as the new Intercontinental Champion, and the storyline should continue since Owens and Ambrose have a lot more to deliver. In the end, the prediction is a victory for Ambrose.
WWE Tag Team Championship: The New Day (c) vs. The Usos:
The Usos have another opportunity to win the tag titles from The New Day, who are reeling from Chris Jericho breaking their trombone. The Usos also won the Slammy Award for best tag team, over The New Day, which was a talking point for the current champions for the last few shows.
Prediction: The New Day retains with their power of positivity and Xavier Woods.
WWE Divas Championship: Charlotte (c) (with Ric Flair) vs. Becky Lynch:
Similar to the United States Championship scene where Del Rio and Kalisto had numerous back and forth matches, Charlotte and Becky Lynch have already shared a few matches against others -- including for the Divas Championship -- but the Irish lass always came short due to interference from Ric Flair. Lynch finally has a new opportunity to defeat Charlotte and win her first women's title in her tenure in the WWE (including her time in NXT).
Prediction: The Charlotte vs. Lynch storyline is finally a divas feud that makes sense and not something petty such as jealousy or that all women hate each other. Lynch has constantly been the underdog since entering the main roster and a win would solidify herself on the roster and in conquering the dirty tactics by the Flairs. A Charlotte win would not be surprising but the prediction is for Lynch to win.
30-Man Royal Rumble Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
This year's 30-man Royal Rumble match has an added twist. Usually the winner has a main-event spot for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but instead current champion Roman Reigns has to defend it and risks losing it if he's tossed over the top rope. Reigns has a mountain to climb if he wants to leave the show as champion as he will enter No. 1.
The great thing about the Royal Rumble match is the unexpected surprise entrants, which may range from WWE legends, former WWE superstars or perhaps an entrant that never formally appeared in the company. This year's show is strongly rumored to see the official WWE debut of AJ Styles (if you don't count his previous match over a decade ago on WWE's lesser broadcast programming) or potentially the main roster debut of current NXT Champion Finn Bálor. The inclusion of NXT talent on the show is extremely likely since NXT and the pay-per-view show is in Orlando. The match will also feature Brock Lesnar.
Prediction: But the show could see the return of Triple H, who will likely take out Reigns from the match, thus lose the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. So who will become the new champion? This is an opportunity for the WWE to catapult a rising talent. If Bálor appears, then he will win. If Styles appears, he won't win since it's too soon and not a figure created by McMahon. Anything can happen, but if a name must be picked: Reigns, somehow, retains and gets showered with mixed reaction from the crowd.
How to Watch:
Television: Contact your cable or satellite provider for information on how to order the "WWE Royal Rumble" pay-per-view event, with the broadcast set to begin at 8 p.m. EST.
Online: Live coverage streaming of "WWE Royal Rumble" begins at 8 p.m. EST, and it can be seen on the WWE Network, but the "Kickoff" show starts at 7 p.m. EST, which can also be seen on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, WWE.com, the WWE App and YouTube.
Must Read: WWE Monday Night Raw Preview & Royal Rumble 2016 Results
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